Wayne has put the fear and respect of 26.2 miles into me. I recently met Wayne, who is a friend’s dad, at an Indiana-style cookout. Wayne is no ordinary friend’s dad. Wayne is the type of friend’s dad who has run a few marathons and volunteer coaches a high school cross country team. Wayne also logs 15 miles every weekend and routinely joins the team of high schoolers for 7 to 8 miles runs. Oh, and I also should mention that Wayne is over 60.

I just spent some time in Montreal and had done a considerable amount of walking and running around the city. One thing that has really jumped out at me is the number of bicycle and people cruising around the city. I’m sure it’s mainly a summertime thing, but people were out in force in Montreal. Just about every twenty paces you see a bike locked up to one of the ever present bike posts. Bikes everywhere. Continue reading ‘Is Montreal Too Cool For Fixies?’

After roughly three months of running more than I have ever run in my life, I think I am really starting to feel it. When I say ‘it’. ‘It’ refers to the pain. The long runs are starting to feel real long and the creaks are getting creakier. I’m definitely not 19 anymore. But, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to bounce back from the longer runs. Walking up the stairs to my house is usually problematic the day (or two) after a long run. On the bright side, we a heading down the home stretch with this *training* regimen. On Sunday we hit the 16 mile mark. Then, I promptly came home, drank a gatorade, and zonked out for a few hours. It’s now Monday and I’m still pretty sore. My toes actually hurt. The thought of running 26 miles in one go somehow doesn’t seem that appealing anymore.

I realize that’s it’s all personal preference. I have a friend who thinks Cake is the best think since sliced bread. Personally, I don’t really get it. Another thing I just get is plunking down $250 for a weekend of music. Unless, of course, it is a stellar line up. Outside Lands…I’m not so sure. Continue reading ‘Does 2/3rds of Outside Lands Kinda Suck?’

In commemoration of Earth Day, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight those thoughtful little things people are doing to save the planet. Running down the embarcadero today, I saw an unusually big crowd gathered around the Hard Rock Cafe. I thought this was odd. Perhaps people were waiting in line to get a taste of the Hard Rock’s chicken wings. This thought was quickly scuttled as I remembered there is a Hooters right across the street. Everybody knows Hooters has much tastier wings. As I got a little closer, I realized that everyone was gathered around a 50-foot tour bus with Tommy Lee’s surgically enhanced face plastered all over it. Okay. But, then I got closer and saw stamps all over the bus with catchy ‘green’ slogans. Turns out Tommy Lee is riding around the country in a ‘green’ tour bus. What a guy! Sacrificing in the name of the environment and limiting his carbon footprint. I mean, nothing screams sustainability more that a 50 foot tour bus hauling around an aging rock star. I bet Tommy Lee even has a personal sustainability plan. If Tommy can reduce his carbon footprint, so can you!

Today was the big day for the Olympic torch to be run through San Francisco. This would be the only North American appearance for a flame that had been nearly extinguished in London and had to be protected by police on rollerblades in Paris. (Yes, rollerblades). Such a ruckus abroad, would San Francisco be any different? Continue reading ‘Free Tibet (and I ran before work today!)’

Week two of training wasn’t the most stellar week of training for the San Francisco Marathon. It started off well with a mellow loop from my hood in Hayes Valley out to Jackson St. and then back to the hood via Fillmore on Tuesday. Bu then, social obligations and other extracurricular sporting events took precedent over training. Went to see the Government Inspector with The Conch and a couple of her friends on Wednesday and then Thursday was opening night of the kickball season. Sick Balls is track to win their 8th consecutive Golden Gate Division Championship. The previous seven were sweet, but the eighth will culminate in a national tournament in Vegas over Labor Day. Could be scary. Continue reading ‘Back on Track at Land’s End (and a blue heron)’